Daily Catholic Lectio. Tue, 22 July ’25. I have seen the Lord

Daily Catholic Lectio

Tue, 22 July ‘25

Saint Mary of Magdala, Feast

Song of Songs 3:1–4. John 20:1, 11–18

I have seen the Lord

On this beautiful feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, we echo her joyful cry from today’s Gospel: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18)

Pope Francis, recognizing her unique role in the story of the Resurrection, raised her liturgical celebration in 2016 from a Memorial to a Feast. In 2017, he called her the “Apostle to the Apostles” and the “Apostle of Hope.” In 2019, he began his apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit (Christ Lives) with her very words: “I have seen the Lord!”

Saint Mary Magdalene is more than a name in Scripture. She is a seeker, a witness, a bearer of hope — and her story deeply echoes the story of another woman in the Bible: Hagar.

1. Hagar and Mary Magdalene: Women on a Journey

Like Mary Magdalene, Hagar in the Old Testament (Genesis 16) is known not by family but by status and place — “the Egyptian maid.” Mary is also known as “Magdalene,” named after her town, not after any male relative, which was rare in her time. Hagar runs away into the wilderness. Mary Magdalene runs to the tomb — early in the morning, full of grief and love.

To Hagar, an angel asks: “Where have you come from, and where are you going?” To Mary Magdalene, the risen Jesus gently asks: “Woman, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?”

To Hagar, the angel says: “Return to your mistress.”

To Mary, Jesus says: “Go to my brothers and tell them.”

Hagar finally exclaims, “I have seen the One who sees me!”

Mary exclaims, “I have seen the Lord!”

2. Three Steps in Mary Magdalene’s Journey of Faith

Mary’s journey is also our journey — from confusion to clarity, from sorrow to joy, from seeking to proclaiming.

(a) “I have not seen the Lord”

Mary rises early and goes to the tomb while it is still dark. The external darkness of the morning reflects her internal sorrow. She stands outside the tomb crying. Her tears blur her sight. She cannot recognize Jesus even when He stands before her. Rabbis used to say, “Through your tears, you will see the angels. Indeed, it is through her tears that Mary sees the two angels in white.

(b) “He looked like a gardener…”

When Mary turns around, she sees Jesus but mistakes Him for the gardener. Her pain and grief prevent her from recognizing the one she loves most. Sometimes, we too fail to recognize God in our lives — thinking He is a stranger, or someone ordinary.

(c) “I have seen the Lord!”

Jesus calls her by name: “Mary.” That one word awakens her heart.

She turns again — this time with her heart — and cries out: “Rabboni!” (Teacher)

St. Augustine beautifully says, “At first, her body had turned; now, her heart turns.”

Mary Magdalene is the first to see the Risen Lord, and the first to be sent to announce the Good News. She holds Jesus tightly — but He sends her to hold others with her words:

“Go and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father.”

3. A Song of Searching Love

The first reading from the Song of Songs is a poetic description of someone searching for her beloved: “On my bed at night I sought him whom my soul loves… I sought him but did not find him.” She walks the streets at night, even facing rebuke from the watchmen. But she does not stop searching.

Mary Magdalene is like her — rising early, running to the tomb, standing weeping, not giving up. And her reward?

She meets the Lord. She hears His voice. She sees His face. She announces His resurrection.

4. Three Life Lessons for Us Today

(a) Where are we in our journey of faith? Are we still in the dark, unable to see the Lord? Or do we see Him, but only as a stranger or a gardener? Or have we recognized Him and joyfully proclaimed: “My Lord and my God”? Let us ask the Lord to turn not just our faces, but our hearts toward Him.

(b) Do we thirst for God?

Today’s responsorial psalm (Psalm 63) beautifully says: “My soul thirsts for you, O Lord, like a dry and weary land without water.” Is our soul dry, or do we long deeply for God? Are we seeking Him out of routine, or out of love?

(c) Do we announce Christ to others? Mary Magdalene became the first preacher of the Resurrection. She did not keep the light for herself — she shared it. Are we keeping our faith hidden? Or are we becoming messengers of the Risen Christ?

May we walk the journey of faith like Mary Magdalene: Seeking the Lord, even in the dark. Listening for His voice in our name. Sharing His joy with others. Let our hearts cry out every day: “I have seen the Lord!” And may others see Him through us.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy